Who Should Have Won the Reggae Grammy? Can you believe the Grammy Awards are almost here? We asked M. Peggy Quattro, Reggae Report founder and publisher, to review the list of nominees from 1985 when the Reggae Grammy award was established through to this year (2011) and give us her picks for "Who Should Have Won the Reggae Grammy? Feel free to comment on the picks.
50 Years of Unforgettable Jamaican Music Jamaica's charm and magnetism has not only been acquired through the Island's beauty and warm people, but through the range and variety of Jamaican Musicians and their music. A visit to Jamaica becomes noteworthy because of its ambience, and the various forms of musical entertainment. Every memory that Tourists may harbor are usually serenaded by Jamaican sounds and rhythms.
Interview with Pop Reggae Soul singer, Chris Demontague This week we interview Chris Demontague. Hailing from Jamaica and Great Britain Chris is an upcoming singer making some impressive noise in musical circles all over the worldwide. His unique sound, originality & Gospel roots, combined with the amazing ability to write great songs, makes Chris one of the hottest new talents to emerge in recent years. Here is our conversation with Chris.
Reggae (or is it Pop?) - The 2011 Grammy Nominations for Best Reggae Album So….The Recording Academy has announced the nominations for its most prestigious awards—for the 54th staging of the Grammy Awards! Is it just me or do the nominations in the category of Reggae keep getting more and more ridiculous? Is it me or do these nominations not reflect the truth in the “Reggae Music Industry” whatsoever? Let’s take a closer look!
Reggae Interview Series: Reggae Music In Chile - Raul Pratt a.k.a. Lil Dread Raul Pratt a.k.a. Lil Dread is owner the website soundsystem.cl. It is a website dedicated a Web site dedicated to spreading reggae/dancehall in Chile and Latin America. This week we talk to Lil Dread about reggae music in Chile.
Interview with Rootz Underground This week we interview the reggae band Rootz Underground. The six-member band has a sound that is new and soul taking reggae in a new direction. They are passionate about the environment and often include “green” initiatives projects in their concerts.
Conversation with Upcoming Jamaican Singer, Lenya Wilks This week we interview upcoming Jamaican singer Lenya Wilks. In 2004 and 2005, Lenya won the trophy for best soloist at the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) Music Festival. In 2005 she also placed 2nd in the JCDC Children’s Gospel Festival. She toured extensively with Beres Hammond between 2007 and 2010 as a solo act. She has performed around the world including the USA and Canada, Europe and the Caribbean to rave reviews. She recently released a few singles and is working in the studio on a new album. Here is our conversation with Lenya.
Our Picks: Top 10 Reggae Songs of All Time Here are our picks of the top 10 reggae songs of all times based on lyrical content, song popularity and world market penetration. Any list of top reggae songs could be exhaustive and filled with songs by Bob Marley, so we have compiled a list of our top 10. Be sure to add your favorites to this list. During the year leading up to Jamaica’s 50th Independence on August 6, 2012, each week we’ll be compiling a list of things celebrating Jamaican foods, music, culture, people and more.
Reggae: The bastard child of the music industry “Marley dominates the Billboard reggae chart” was the jubilant Jamaican Gleaner headline being shared with the Facebook JA diaspora. An article lauding the talent of the Marley family with congratulatory glee as they continue to ride on the top of the reggae charts. Take a look at the Billboard Reggae charts; you will find them shoved at the bottom of the page under the ‘additional Charts/Genres’ stuck between “New Age” and “Soundtracks”. Sure enough, Damian/NAS are number one, Stephen at number three and Ziggy at number four.
Mavado & Friends - West Indian Social Club, Hartford CT For the first time since his visa had been reinstated, popular DJ and entertainer, David “Mavado” Brooks, took the stage in Hartford, Connecticut. His return to the United States was eagerly anticipated by his diehard fans as the artiste, along with other popular DJ’s such as Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, and Aidonia, among others, has had his visa revoked in April 2010.
Review: Reggae Rhythm & Blues Festival On Sunday September 4th the much touted Reggae Rhythm & Blues Festival got under way at Roy Wilkins Park in Queens. Organized by the Irie Jam Media Group together with main sponsors The Door Restaurant, WBLS, The Smokehouse, Western Union, Lime and Digicel. Quite a few patrons heeded the advice of the promoters and made it to the park early – not wanting to miss any of the artists in an impressive line-up reflecting performers from the genres of Reggae, Rhythm and Blues.
A Review: Beres Hammond and Friends: Love Within The Music - New York 2011 I recently had the seemingly rare opportunity of watching the performance of three stalwarts in the Reggae Music Industry. It was amazing to witness the finesse and style of these three gentlemen. I speak in reference of Beres Hammond, Sanchez and Wayne Wonder. In the Concert dubbed: Singers in Action: Love Within the Music, veteran entertainer Beres Hammond, who embarked on a North American tour with a few of his friends gave a superb performance that was unparalleled.
Music Review: Lakefest 2011 With a lineup of Beres Hammond, Wayne Wonder, Anthony B, and Etana, Lakefest was anticipated as one of the most anticipated reggae stageshows this summer. The setting was one that was intended to be serene, relaxing, and fun for all members of the family.
Our Top 50 Picks of Jamaican Ska Songs During the year leading up to Jamaica’s 50th Independence Day on August 6, 2012, every week we’ll be compiling a list of things celebrating Jamaican foods, music, culture, people and more. We begin with our picks of the Top 50 Ska songs (not in any order). Feel free post your comments with your top Jamaican Ska songs.
A Rose by Any Other Name - Interview With Cen'C Love The blazing tropical sun had become an unwelcomed distant memory by the time the restless crowd was asked to welcome her to the stage. Within minutes of gracefully sauntering to the stage and graciously thanking the audience, she then proceeded to suffuse them in a musical web of soul stirring melodic vocals and hip-churning rhythms.
11 Questions for 2011 with Pablo Moses Pablo Moses was born Pableto Henry in the rural parish of Manchester, Jamaica. He is true to his Rastafari roots and has never wavered from his call for justice and social balance. His recording and performing career spans more than 30 years and he has toured around the world. From his early beginnings with a vocal group called the Canaries, Pablo soon went solo and followed his own path, which included a two-year stint studying at the Jamaica School of Music.
Anancy Festival Kingston Review People of all ages came out to participate in this year’s Anancy Festival which took place on Saturday June 11, 2011 at the
Kingston and St. Andrew Parish Library. Caribbean Author and Journalist Kellie Magnus, the organizer was there to ensure that things went smoothly for the event.
Review: Best of the Best 2011 Miami This year Best of the Best expanded to a two day affair. Day one featured the best of Hip Hop and R&B, day two was the traditional dancehall stage show. Here is our review of the show.
Review: Kudos....Anancy Festival The Kingston leg of the inaugural Anancy Festival got underway on Saturday June 11, 2011 at the Tom Redcam Library with BIAJ Publishing Director and author, Kellie Magnus, thanking all who had turned out. She welcomed them to what promised to be an enjoyable and fun-filled afternoon ; and it was!
11 Questions for 2011 with Cocoa Tea Cocoa Tea was born Calvin George Scott on September 3, 1959, in Rocky Point, Clarendon, Jamaica. Besides singing in church, Cocoa Tea was a racehorse jockey and fisherman. After moving to Kingston in 1983, he met and worked with producer Junjo Lawes, and later King Jammy. Cocoa Tea is known for hits such as “Rocking Dolly,” “Ryker’s Island” and the 2008 ode “Barack Obama,” which became an Internet sensation.
11 Questions with Bunny Rugs Clarke from the Third World Band William "Bunny Rugs" Clarke was born February 6 in Mandeville, Jamaica. After working with small bands, and a short stint with Inner Circle, Bunny Rugs was invited to become lead vocalist/guitarist and songwriter for Third World in the mid-'70s. In the late '80s, Bunny began a solo career on the side. Rugs, as he is affectionately known, is credited with having one of the most distinctive voices in reggae music.
Review: Reggae Film Festival – May 2011 Barbara Blake-Hannah was a guest on the Conduit Show in February 2011 when she mentioned the Reggae Film Festival slated to take place in Jamaica in May. At that time, I made a mental note to attend. Fast forward to May 23 and I’m making my way from Harbour View by minivan, the poor man’s limousine to Mountain View Avenue and on to Studio 38 in New Kingston for the opening night of the fourth outing of the Reggae Film Festival.
Interview with Bahrain-born Reggae Artist Elaine Lil'Bit Shepherd This week we interview Canadian based reggae artist Elaine Lil'Bit Shepherd . Born in Bahrain Lil’Bit was introduced to the Toronto reggae scene in 2009 in Vancouver, British Columbia. She received the Most Promising New Artist Award at the 2010 RMAA's, and is now the recipient for the most prestigious award in the Canadian Music Industry.
11 Questions for 2011 With Tessanne Chin Tessanne Chin is a Kingston-born singer and songwriter who has been performing since the age of six. Her sultry style combines reggae, soul and rock, placing her in a unique category all her own. After moving to England at 12, Tessanne began writing her own songs. Upon returning to Jamaica, she joined several rock bands before finally deciding on a solo career using just her first name, Tessanne. She is a natural talent, having performed at numerous large and small stage shows throughout Jamaica, and she is a seasoned media darling. All her hard work has led to the recent release of her acclaimed debut CD, In Between Words. Double congratulations are in order as Tessanne married former television presenter, Michael Anthony Cuffe Jr., on March 19 in Jamaica.
Soulfully Yours Five Minutes with: Sherieta Lewis In an atmosphere of hurried microwave "stardom" and overnight "Divas" there is something to be said for an artist who makes a conscious, earnest investment to not only studying the mechanics of the music, but acknowledges the advantages to establishing an undeniable track record behind the scenes prior to making a bid for the spotlight.
Remembering David “Smiley Culture” Emanuel David Emanuel may be a rather non-descript name, but if you have any British connections or affiliations with London’s music scene in the 1980’s the name David Emanuel immediately evokes memories of the cheeky Cockney with the megawatt grin. Smiley Culture, as he was more popularly known, died under tragic and suspicious circumstances on March 15, 2011 at his Warlingham, Surrey home.
11 Questions for 2011 With Dawn Penn Jamaica-born Dawn Penn is a classically trained singer, musician, and actress. As a teen she recorded for Clement Dodd’s Studio One label. Her first single, “No No No,” is recognized as a classic reggae song. The song was re-recorded with Steely & Clevie in 1991 and crossed over into mainstream pop charts. The album No No No was later nominated for a Grammy Award. Dawn Penn continued to record and perform and is featured in the film “Get Ready to Rocksteady.” Currently Dawn is recording and planning a U.S. tour.
A Breath of Fresh Air - Five Minutes With: THE Dubber Think of a musical stew simmering with a multitude of intricate beats as ingredients. A heavy dollop of Reggae, heightened with a dash of smooth Funk. Sprinkle that lightly a with hint of smooth jazz with a subtle peppering of a host of other elements too numerous to mention and you have a sample of what the new CD, 'Global Warning' recently released by THE Dubber has to offer.
Conversation With Jamaican Reggae Soul Singer, Mario Evon This week we interview 'Mario Evon' who has created his own genre of music called reggae-soul and is carving out his own niche in the entertainment industry. Born Mario Guthrie in Kingston, Jamaica, he fell in love with music at an early age. He fondly says "Music chose me, I didn't choose music". Despite being trained as a medical doctor, Mario found the tug of music on his heart too great to ignore. He is currently in the process of writing and recording songs for his very first album. He is excited about the possibilities ahead and is committed to sharing his gift with the world.
11 Questions for 2011 With Carlene Davis Internationally acclaimed Gospel recording artiste Carlene Davis is one of the most dynamic music ministers coming out of Jamaica. As this Caribbean Hall of Fame Awardee testifies in song, the powerful message of God’s love flows through her, bringing hope and healing to the heart of the listener. God has truly anointed and appointed her to affect this generation and her mission is to bring deliverance and transformation to a hurting world through the ministry of music.
11 Questions for 2011 With Benjy Myaz Benjy Myaz, an accomplished musician, songwriter, arranger, and producer, hails from Hanover, Jamaica. Benjy plays several instruments, but claims the bass is his first love. As a member of the famed Rhythm Kings Band, Benjy performed and toured the world with such stars as Jimmy Cliff and JC Lodge. His many musical collaborations include Garnet Silk, Pam Hall, and Freddie McGregor.
Bob Marley Quotes Even though Bob Marley passed away many years ago (May 11, 1981) his quotes are profound, and prophetic. We have compiled a list of over 100 Bob Marley quotes. They reflect current life, love, politics, relationships and economics. Bob Marley’s quotes are dynamic and relevant can be used in many situation in today’s world. Enjoy these Bob Marley quotes and feel free to add your comments or quotes at the end.
Grammy Awards Eluded Reggae Superstar Gregory Isaacs Yet Again Jamaica-Reggae superstar the late Gregory Isaacs, a four time nominee for the prestigious Grammy awards, has been shunned again. The Grammy award symbolizes the highest honor of excellence in the music industry. Isaacs was nominated for the best reggae album. The album, “Isaacs meets Isaacs,” is a collaborative effort with King Isaacs, a Zimbabwean singer and longtime acquaintance of the Cool Ruler.
Bob Marley at Sixty Six: still the Poet Laureate of Reggae Music & its "Classical Troubadour Bob Marley, the uneducated ghetto poet’s story is one of the 20th century's most powerful and compelling human dramas. A prolific songwriter and musician, of significance and importance, Marley died at age of thirty six from melanoma cancer. Every aspect of Marley's brief but extraordinary life has been the subject of the pen. His meteoric rise to international cultural importance and musical significance made him one of the most significant contributors to world culture. Had he lived he would have been sixty-six on February 6, 2011.
